Liberal democrats propose bill to ban cannabis seeds in UK

[Bushpig]

Here you go

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/403550.html


Bushpig

[Glandmaster]

Another shocking press release from the LCA - be careful which sources you use.

The LCA state that this bill will impact hemp farmers. They seem ignorant of the fact that this bill is intended to prohibit the sale of cannabis seeds by retail and has nothing to do with hemp farming. Hemp farmers in the uk already face a huge restriction on what they can grow, where and when under the terms of their license from the Home Office.

The LCA also state this is a U turn by the Lib Dems, it is not it is a private members bill aimed at plugging a loophole that allows the sale of cannabis seeds but prohibits the sale of the plant or its products. The MP in question states his opposition to the proposed upgrading of cannabis to class B in line with his party. He also wanted to try and ban ALL drug paraphernalia however had to concede that this wasnt going to happen.

He is basically trying to close a head shop in his constituancy using the 'its close to schools' argument. He is vote gathering of course.

TO get the full view of this I would suggest you check out they work for you:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/? ... 09b.1429.0

for details of the debates and the parliament site:

http://services.parliament.uk/bills/200 ... ition.html

for details of the bills progression. It is very unlikely for ANY private members bill to get on the statute books - this is political grandstanding at its best and the LCA have managed to pollute the debate once again by barking up the wrong tree and providing some great ammo for those in govt who like nothing better than to show the pro cannabis lobby in a bad light.

I will keep a eye on Transforms site for a more detailed examination of this bill so that I can arm myself with the real facts before I decide what action to take.

I think its also relevant to pimp thier excellent guides to the uk drug debate, especially After the War on Drugs: Tools for the debate

http://www.tdpf.org.uk/AboutUs_Publications.htm#tools

If we dont ask the right questions and identify the correct issues then no progress will be made at all.

[Bushpig]

Hi Gm!

Yes, I kinda agree.  I had only sped read the article but it did sound 'not quite right'.  Regardless it is worth throwing up here for perusal/inspection (which is just what you did).

Boooshpig

[Glandmaster]

Well here is a timely post from Transforms blog: Drugs, knives and moral panics.

And with all this 'sending children the right message' horse shit that our politicians love to trot out heres a pretty strong message from the kids ;p